
The R8 GT is a very expensive and very limited edition of Audi's supercar; only 333 will be produced for the world, and a mere 90 will come to America. Engineers whittled down the weight with extensive use of carbon fiber. Lightweight is the word with the R8 GT: The fixed carbon rear wing saves 11.5 pounds, the rear bumper and diffuser drop another 17.6 pounds and the thinner carbon side blades rid the body of 3.3 pounds. Besides all the carbon, a lighter battery cuts 20.7 pounds and thinner carpeting shaves 17.4 pounds. The windshield is lighter than the standard R8's, and so is the exhaust system. In all, the American version of the R8 GT saves 180 pounds over its ordinary cousin, and European models save another 40 pounds on top of that thanks to a polycarbonate engine cover and sport seats. Still, at 3538 pounds, the R8 GT bound for our shores is no flyweight. Lift the GT's rear hood and you'll find an up-rated version of the R8's already potent V10 electronically tweaked to produce 560 hp. That's the same horsepower rating as the Lamborghini LP560-4 Gallardo, the R8's platform mate. The engine is paired exclusively to the R tronic gearbox, the automated, single-clutch version of the six-speed manual. Audi says the GT will hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and top out at 198.84 mph. The R8 GT rides 10 mm closer to the ground thanks to the firmer, manually adjustable Bilstein suspension. Though the standard brakes are surely sufficient, most GT owners (already spending nearly <b>...</b>
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